A year on from Dua Lipa’s headline appearance at Glastonbury Festival, and hot on the heels of multiple sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium, TPi headed to Anfield to catch up with a well-travelled touring production crew championing a culture of innovation and care on and off stage.
Ahead of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)’s backstage tour, while walking through the tunnel pre-show, Tour Director, Pete Abbott shared how he has worked with Dua Lipa since 2016 – initially through tour management and direction, which evolved during lockdown into creative and show direction.
During the student open day at Anfield, he recalled the artist’s incredible “drive and ambition” and hoped the presence of students on site would inspire them and raise awareness of the hidden roles within the sector.
“Speaking to students brings out the very best of our crew. Hearing them talk about themselves and their work, as well as praising their wider team, is special,” he enthused. “All of our heads of department started by loading a truck, so it’s important to share those stories and make the industry more accessible.”
Production Manager, Ross Maynard added: “You see the crew come alive and reveal why they tour, which is very easy to forget on a long and challenging production. Equally, for the students, you don’t know that those often hidden opportunities and roles exist.”
Abbott and Maynard were supported by Tour Accountant, Mike Darling; Production Coordinator, Monica Franco and Backstage Coordinator, Luana Quaglia De Carvalho; Production Assistants, Megan Hood and Helena Robertson; Performer Tour Manager James ‘Finn’ Findlay; Artist Coordinator, Natalie Blass and Stage Managers, Jake Vernum, Patrick Briscoe, Adam Morris and Ryan Jenkinson in the production office.
Following the conclusion of the student open day, LIPA’s Mike Roberts commented: “It’s incredible to hear the crew reinforce the same values we promote – hard work, being a decent person, resilience and persistence. Hearing from professionals on a major international tour brought it to life. Our students made the most of the opportunity, asking thoughtful questions and making useful contacts. Staff also built valuable relationships.”
Words: Jacob Waite
Photos: Luke Dyson and TPi
